Dryadella cristata

A true miniature, this little Pleurothallid is only 3 cm tall with 1.5 cm flowers.  Dryadella cristata is from Colombia and blooms in the winter here.  The genus, Dryadella, was separated from Masdevallia and contains approximately 30 species.  In the case of this species the name of this plant refers to the crested petals, visible as blackish-purple bits in the center of the flowers.  The flowers are not very long-lasting and I grow it mounted on a piece of ceder shingle.